PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The investigation conducted by the Law Enforcement Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MEF) in Kalimantan regarding environmental pollution allegations against PT Berkala Maju Bersama (BMB) has been completed. Section Region I in Palangkaraya forwarded the case file to the Central Kalimantan Attorney’s Office, citing serious environmental impacts caused by the company’s activities.
Document Number B-737/O.2.4/Eku.1/03/2024, dated March 14, 2024, confirms that the attorney’s office acknowledged the completion of the investigation file provided by the investigators. PT BMB, which operates a palm oil mill in the Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan Province, faces potential fines if found guilty.
David Muhammad, the head of the Law Enforcement Agency of MEF in Kalimantan, stated that on March 14, 2024, the prosecutor at the Central Kalimantan Attorney’s Office declared the investigation into environmental pollution allegations against PT BMB as complete. Subsequently, suspects and evidence would be promptly handed over for further legal proceedings.
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“Directors of PT BMB could be threatened in jail at least 3 years or the longest 10 years and fine, at least, Rp 3 million and the most Rp 10 billion,” David said, from the official statement that Palmoilmagazine.com got, Thursday (4/4/2024).
Many discussed the pollution after the people claimed many dead fishes in Masien River, Vilage of Mulya. Liquid waste is suspected to be the main factor of the dead fishes. It flew to the river and be the serious threat for the environment. Empty bunches and shell were thrown anywhere.
Field verification and sample taking results by Environment Agency Regency of Gunung Mas on 11 May 2024 showed that the water hit the pollution level which was intolerant. Since the time, the agency conducted whole investigation into the case.
This is a serious violence that PT BMB did. The corporate was threatened with chapters in the Laws Number 32 / 2009 about Environment Protection and Management.
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David also emphasized the law enforcement should be noticed by others. There will be firm sue if (the companies) damage the environment.
General Director of Law Enforcement MEF, Rasio Ridho Sani said PT BMB polluted the environment by intentionally letting the wastes to the enviroinment. This is a serious crime and the law should fairly be served.
Not only that, the crime by a corporate would get additional sanction according to Chapter 119, Laws Number 32 / 2009, including seizing the profits and environment recovery from what the company caused.
“I delivered orders for the investigators to immediately investigate persons from the environmental crime in PT BMB. If it is indicated to do money laundry from the crime, we would investigate more. There should be multiply sue to get deterrent effect,” he emphasized. (T2)
